1. Data controller
For processing generated by the operation of this website, the controller is:
Focus Europe ETS
Via Giovanni Verga, 10
95041 Caltagirone (CT) – Italy
Email: privacy@focuseurope.org
Focus Europe ETS has not appointed a Data Protection Officer (DPO). Privacy requests may be sent to the address above.
2. Browsing data, hosting and security
The systems used to deliver the website may process technical data required for connectivity and security, such as IP address, request date and time, requested resource, browser/device information and technical or security events.
Purposes: website delivery, security, troubleshooting, abuse prevention and infrastructure protection. Legal basis: the controller’s legitimate interest in operating and securing the service (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR).
The website is hosted on Netsons infrastructure. According to the provider’s published documentation, hosting backups may be retained for up to 31 days. Technical logs are retained according to service operation, security and configuration needs; further information may be requested at privacy@focuseurope.org.
3. Data provided voluntarily and website features
A4EUS is a project managed by Focus Europe ETS. This notice specifically concerns a4eus.focuseurope.org and processing arising from the operation of that website.
Contact form
The Contact page collects name, email address, subject and message text. The data are used to answer the request and are sent to Focus Europe’s institutional mailbox; the website does not create a user account or store messages in an application database.
Legal basis: steps taken at the individual’s request before entering a possible relationship (Article 6(1)(b) GDPR), where applicable, or legitimate interest in handling institutional correspondence (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR).
Retention: for the time required to handle the request and any follow-up; afterwards only where necessary for legal obligations, defence of rights or ordinary records management.
4. Cookies and external content
The verified configuration does not activate analytics, advertising or social tracking tools.
| Tool | Type | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHPSESSID | First-party technical cookie | Session security on the Contact page, CSRF protection and repeated-submission throttling | Browser session |
YouTube videos are not loaded automatically. Each player is replaced by a local placeholder and is activated only after the user selects “Load video from YouTube”. The choice is not stored in cookies or local storage: reloading the page blocks the external content again.
After a video is voluntarily activated, the browser connects to YouTube/Google. The site uses youtube-nocookie.com (privacy-enhanced mode), but activation may still result in technical data being communicated and further processing by the provider. External content is activated on the basis of the user’s consent expressed through the load command. The video can be disabled again using “Unload video”.
5. Project materials, images and documents
The website may make project archive materials available, including institutional names and roles, photographs, videos, programmes and documents. The lawful publication of individual materials depends on project documentation, dissemination obligations and any applicable authorisations. A person who believes that content concerning them should be reviewed, updated or removed may contact privacy@focuseurope.org and identify the relevant material.
6. Recipients and transfers
Data may be processed by authorised Focus Europe ETS personnel and collaborators and, where necessary to provide the services, by technical providers (in particular hosting and email services). When the user activates a video, technical data required for the connection are also communicated to YouTube/Google. Those providers may process data outside the European Economic Area on the basis of the transfer mechanisms described in their respective privacy information.
7. Third-party links and services
Links to external websites (for example YouTube, Focus Europe, Facebook or other project resources) open independent services subject to their own privacy notices. A normal link does not load the external service until the user selects it.
For YouTube: Google Privacy Policy. For Netsons: Netsons Privacy Policy.
8. Your rights
Where provided by the GDPR, individuals may request access, rectification, erasure, restriction, objection and portability, and may withdraw consent without affecting processing carried out before withdrawal.
Requests may be sent to privacy@focuseurope.org. Individuals also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Italian Data Protection Authority.
9. Updates
This notice refers to the technical configuration reviewed for the 7 October 2026 release. If new services are added (for example analytics, maps, newsletters, new forms or social embeds), the notice and relevant choices will be updated before activation.